Apparatus for applying linear designs to work surfaces



April 3, 1951 Filed March 16, 1946 A. BECKELMAN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LINEAR DESIGNS TO WORK SURFACES 2 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR Abrahamfiecli'elmm ATTo RNEY j April 3,

1951 A. BECKELMAN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LINEAR DESIGNS TO WORK SURFACES Filed March 16, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR TTORNEY Patented Apr. 3, 1951 APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LINEAR DESIGNS TO WORK SURFACES Abraham 'Bcckelman, New York, N. Y.

Application March 16, 1946, Serial No. 654,929 12 Claims. 1o1 114) My present invention relates generally to surface ornamentation, and has particular reference to the application of linear designs to surfaces of fabric or the like.

The invention is primarily directed toward the application of designs which are of temporary character, such as are produced on fabric, for example, by a chalky marking powder or equivalent marking substance; but it will be understood that certain phases of the invention may be of broader utility.

In the manufacture of garments, such as dresses, for example, it is frequently desirable that certain constituent elements of the garment be ornamented by embroidery before assembly with other elements to form the garment desired. By the term embroidery I allude not only to the application of threads, buttons, beads, or the like, but also to pigmentation by means of a paint brush or its equivalent, and other modes of ornamentation. To facilitate such procedure, it is common practice to apply a preliminary temporary delineation of the desired design by means of a suitable marking substance, usually a powder. In the conventional procedure, each fabric element is individually laid beneath a suitably perforated paper pattern sheet, and the marking substance is then rubbed throughthe perforae tions. This is a tedious and time-consuming operation, especially where the fabric to be marked is of sheer character or'of relatively large s1ze. i

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an apparatus by means of which this marking procedure may be greatly expedited. The apparatus consists, briefly, of a means for supporting a stack of work pieces to each of which a predetermined design is to be applied, a means for supporting a perforated pattern sheet, a positioning means for successively establishing contact between the pattern sheet and each of the work surfaces, a means for applying a charge of marking substance to said sheet, and a means for pushing the substance through the sheet.

Among the special features of the invention are a means for reliably retaining the stack of work 7 pieces in proper aligned relation to the pattern sheet, a means for supporting the pattern sheet in readily replaceable relation to a frame, a means for supplying a charge of marking substance to the rear surface of the pattern sheetat the proper time and in an eff ciently distributed manner, and a means for expeditiously pushing the marking substance through the design perforations of the pattern sheet when the latter is in contact with the work surface.

In the preferred embodimentof the invention, the substance-applying means and the substancepushing means are automatically operable in timed relation to the positioning means. A satisfactory result is achieved by causing the positioning means to bring the pattern sheet toward and away from an operative relation to the work, and by causing the positioning means to control the functioning of the substance-applying and substance-pushing means so that the charge of marking substance is applied first and so that the substance-pushing means functions only when the desired contact between pattern sheet and work surface has been established.

The substance-applying means may consist, for example, of a suitable source of supply, a conduit leading from the supply and provided with a perforated portion in adjacence to the pattern sheet, and a pneumatic or other means for delivering a charge of substance from the supply to and through the conduit and through the conduit perforations onto the pattern sheet.

The substance-pushing means consists, preferably, of a brushing element or equivalent instrument which is mounted to sweep across the pattern sheet. Such a brushing element may be satisfactorily secured to a belt extending around a pair of spaced pulleys or the like, and an electric motor may be employed for driving the belt and thereby moving the brushing element at the proper times.

An illustrative exemplification of a manner of achieving these general objectives and advantages, and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an apparatus embodying the features of the present invention;

Figure 2 taken substantially along the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, on a slightly reduced scale, taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 2, with parts broken away to reveal structure which would otherwise be hidden;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view through a means for applying a marking substance;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing one form of work-retaining clamp;

Figure 6 is a view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a work piece having a linear design applied thereto; and

Figure 8 i a wiring diagram.

is an enlarged cross-sectional view A work table I is provided, for the purpose of supporting a stack of work pieces II in a fashion which permits the top-most work piece to be subjected to the marking operation and to be thereupon removed from the stack.

For illustrative purposes, I have shown the table [El provided with a set of strategically-disposed slots [2 within each of which a clamp 13 (hereinafter to be described in greater detail) is adjustably mounted. The work pieces Ii have been shown, for explanatory purposes, as a series of oddly-shaped elements of fabric or. the likev to each-of which a linear design is to be applied. In Figure 7, one of the work surfaces H is shown by itself, and at it I have indicated the'type. of linear design which may be appliedthereto.

A pattern sheet l5, composed of paper or equivalent sheet material is provided with per-'- forations I6 which define the desired design. This pattern is mounted ina suitable removable manner uponaframe which I prefer to construct in the form of a rectangular structure having a bottom wall I! of relatively rigid open-work metal or its equivalent, and having a rearwardly-em tending peripheral wall H3. The pattern sheet is made of such a size that it may be laid against the perforated reinforcing wall H, with its-marginal portions l9 overlying the peripheral wall |8.- A binding element 20, in the form of an elastic band, may be used to engage the portions l9and thereby hold the pattern sheet in taut association with the supporting frame. Obviously, if desired, any other suitable means may be employed for holding the sheet IS in position.

The peripheral wall 18 defines a chamber behind the pattern sheet. This chamber is preferably enclosed by the provision of a rear wall 2!, the structure thus being of box-like character. Extending rearwardly from the wall 2| is a supporting rod 22. The walls I8 and 2| which make up the chamber and the rod 22 constitute what hereinafter shall be designated as a reciprocable element. This rod is mounted in any suitable manner (not shown) so that it may be moved under the control of a foot pedal or equivalent manually-operated. or automatically-operated control,in order to bring the pattern sheet l5 into and out of contact with the uppermost work surface H. For example, in a construction of the character shown, the supporting rod 22 may be journaled in a suitable housing for axial reciprocating movements so that the pattern sheet I5 may be selectively raised to the position indicated in Figure 1 (spaced from the work surfaces II), or lowered to an extent sufficient to bring the pattern sheet into contact with the uppermost work surface H. The rod 22 may thus be said to be an illustrative positioning means for bringing the-pattern sheet into and out of contacting relation to the work.

In accordance with my invention, a means is provided for applying a charge of marking subillustrative purposes,--. I have :shown themarking substance in the form ofa-powder. The charge- 4 applying means is indicated most clearly in Figures 1 and 4.

I have shown a suitable receptacle 23, in the form of a cylindrical jar or the like, preferably having a separable screw-threaded cover 24, within which a supply 25 of the powdered marking substance is contained. Projecting through the cover are two pipes or conduits 26, and 21, the former extendingzdownwardly into the container 23 to an extent adequate for the purpose presently to be described. The conduit 21 communicates, asat 28. (Figure. l) with a conduit 29 disposed within the confines of the peripheral wall l8 of the supporting frame, and preferably arranged adjacent to .the periphery of the open-work backing wall. IT. The conduit 29 is provided with perforations 30.

Thepipe'ZG connects with the end of a cylinder 3| within which a pistonz32 i mounted for reciprocation- Ihave. shown the piston rod 33 pivoted as at 34 to a lever 35 .whose fulcrum is at 36 and whose free arm is under the continuous influence of a spring 31 which keeps the piston 32 in a raised position remote from the conduit 26. A pin 38', orsimilar shoulder, is formed on the rod 22, and the parts are so arranged that when the rod 22 rises, i.. e., duringthe movement of the paper pattern away from the. work, the pin 38 will encounter the free end of the lever 35 andforce the piston 32 into the cylinder 3i against the normalurgence of the spring 31. When this occurs, a blast of airis forced through thepipe 25into the container 23 and this causes acharge of the powder 25:.to be agitated into a suspended condition, this charge being forced through the conduit 21 into and through the conduit perforations 30 into a scattered or distributed state on the back of the pattern sheet l5.

A,suitab1e check valve 39 may be provided in the endof the cylinder 31 so thatduring the return movement of the piston 32, under the action ofthe spring. 37, no powder will be drawn into the cylinder 3 I.

This piston-cylinder arrangement constitutes a pneumatic means for applyin a charge of the markingsubstance to the pattern sheet, and it will be observed that this charge-applying means is controlled by:the positioning means, being operated intimed relationship to the latter. If desired, anyother suitable type of charge-applying mechanism may be employed; and although itis preferred that this mechanism operate in timed relationto the positioning means, this is not absolutely, essential.

Where the marking substance is of liquid characten'consisting, for example, of a solution or suspension of a powderedmaterial in a suitable solvent or the like, the charge-applying mechanism may be constructed as and caused to operate like an atomizer or its equivalent, wherebythesubstance emanating from the conduit-perforationsflil is a fine spray of the marking substance, rather than a dry powder.

Similarly, the mechanism for pushing the marking substance through the perforations of the pattern sheet after the latter has been brought into contact-with the work surface, may be'of any suitable character. In essence, it consists: of atleast one brushing element which is mounted to sweep across the pattern sheet and thereby force the marking substance through the perforations IQ of the-pattern sheet.

One way of achieving this object is shown in the accompanyingdrawings in which-a pair of spaced pulleys 40 are journaledwithin the chamber defined by the peripheral wall l8. One of the carries at leastone, and preferably four or more brushing elements 44. The parts are so arranged that when the belt is moved, one or more of the brushing elements will sweep across the wall ll which, by virtue of its openwork character, permits the marking substance to be engaged by the brushing element and to be pushed by the latter through the perforations It in the pattern sheet l5.

As in the case of the charge-applying mechanism, it is preferred that the charge-pushing means be actuated in timed relation to the positioning means, although this isnot absolutely es-' sential. I have illustratively shown a switch 15 in the circuit of the motor 42 (Figure 8), the movable contact of the switch being designated by the reference numeral M5 in Figure 1 and being so mounted in association with the supporting frame that the switch remains open at all times except when the pattern sheet has been brought down into contact with the work surface. The movable contact 46 might be, for example, under the influence of a spring (not shown) which keeps the switch open except when the contact d6 encounters the stack of work pieces and is thereby shifted against the urgence of the spring to close the switch 45. i

If automatic operation is desired, it will be understood that any other convenient means for causing the brushing elements to operate at predetermined times may be provided.

Before describing the operation of the apparatus, attention is directed to Figures 5 and 6 in which I have shown the preferred means for holding the stack of work pieces H in proper relaticnship to the table it and to the pattern sheet it. Each of the clamps 13 may consist of a rod 67 which is mounted for reciprocal axial movement within a carrier 48, a spring 49 being interposed between the carrier and a shoulder 56 (carried by the rod 41) whereby the rod Al is constantly urged downwardly. At'its upper end the rod fll is'provided with a thin lateral finger 5! adapted to engage with the'marginal upper edge of the stack of workpieces H. In this way, a yieldable clamping action is exerted upon spaced portions of the upper periphery of the stack, yet

the yieldability of the clamps permits the pat-- tern sheet to be brought down onto the uppermost work surface without any difficulty. Similarly, after the uppermost work surface has been treated, it may be readily released from beneath the clamping fingers 5i and laid aside, thus exposing the next work surface for the subsequent operation of the apparatus.

The carriers 58 are intended to be slidably ad justed in their respective slots l2, and each one may be provided with a clamping nut 52 (Figure 6) which may be adjusted to bind against the under face of the table It to hold the carrier lt in any selected position within its slot i2.

In carrying out the contemplated marking procedure, the paper pattern l5 is first provided with the desired perforations [6, depending upon the size and shape of the work piece which is ultimately to be marked. This sheet is then secured to the supporting frame, as shown, and a stack of the work pieces is suitably positioned on the work table it] in a predetermined relation to the pattern sheet. To facilitate the proper alignment 6 of the parts, the work table It may be provided with markings (not shown) which indicate the field of action of the pattern sheet when the latter is moved toward and away from the work table by the positioning means.

The positioning means is then moved in such a way that a charge of the marking substance is distributed over the rear face of the pattern sheet.

In the illustrated construction, this movement will be an upward movement brought about by a suitable raising of the rod 22 by a foot pedal or its equivalent. The same control is then actuated to bring the rod 22 down, i. e., to bring the pattern sheet into operative contact with the uppermost work surface. If the apparatus is automatically controlled, as herein described and illustrated, the switch 35 will be closed as soon as contact is established, and this will actuate the motor 42 and the belt at, thereby causing the brushing element or elements to sweep across the pattern sheet. This pushes or forces the marking substance through the perforations I6 onto the Work surface. The pattern sheet is then raised out of contact with the stack of work, the uppermost marked work piece is removed and laid aside, and the operation is then repeated. Each time the pattern sheet comes into contact with the work surface, a charge of marking substance, previously applied, is pushed through the pattern sheet to produce the desired design on the work piece beneath it.

Obviously, if desired, the pattern sheet and the supporting frame may be of any desired size or contour; and the apparatus shown in Figure 1 may be duplicated so that a plurality of pattern sheets may be caused to operate simultaneously, under a common controL'with respect to a common work table.

Summarizing, it will be observed that, by means of my invention a large number of work pieces may be expeditiously treated, in an efficient and relatively rapid manner. The savings in time and labor which are thus achieved, as compared with the conventional piece-by-piece manual operation currently employed in practice, will be ob trated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for applying a linear design to a work surface, comprising a pattern sheet adapted to be brought into contact with said work surface and provided with perforations defining said design, and means for pushing marking substance through said perforations, said means comprising a pair of spaced pulleys and supporting means therefor, an endless belt extending around said pulleys, and at least one brushing element carried by said belt, said belt and brushing element being so mounted relative to said sheet that when the belt is driven said brushing element will sweep across said sheet.

2. An apparatus for applyinga linear design to a work surface, comprising a pattern sheet adapted to be brought into contact with said work surface, and provided with perforations definingsaid design, a supporting frame and means for securing the margin of said pattern sheet to said frame,

said frame including a rearwardly'extendingmeripheral. wall defining. a; chamber behind" said sheet, and means within saidrc'hamber for pushing. a marking substance. through :said' perforations, said last-namedmeans" comprisinga' pair. of spaced pulleys journalediwithin said peripheral wall, an endless belt extending around'said:

pulleys, at least one brushing elementcarried by said belt for sweeping movement across'said sheet, and means for driving saidbelt;

3. An apparatus for applying alinear design to a work'surface, comprisingfasupporting frame; a

pattern'sheet mountedion said frame and'adapt ed to be brought into contactwi'th saidwork sur face and provided with'perforations' defining'said design, means for applying a charge ofm'arking' substance to saidsheet, and means for pushing said substance through" said perforations, saidcharge-applying' meanscomprising a supply of said substance, a conduit located within said" frame and communicating with said'supply, said conduit having a multiplicity of perforations directed' toward said sheet and pneumatic means for transporting said charge to and through said conduit and through said conduit perforations to said sheet.

4. An apparatus for applying a linear design to a work surface, comprising a pattern sheet adapt-- ed to be brought into contact with said work surface and provided with perforations defining said design, a supporting frame for said sheet, including a rearwardly extending peripheral wall defining a chamber behind said sheet, means for supplying a charge of marking substance into said chamber and distributing it horizontally over said sheet, and means within said chamber for pushing said substance through said perforations.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4; said charge-supplying means comprising'a supply of said substance, a conduit leading from said supply and having a portion within said chamber' provided with a multiplicity of perforations directed toward said sheet, and means for transsaid substanceand a conduitleading fromsaid" supply and having a portion thereof within said chamber-and adjacent-to its peripheral wall, the

portion of said conduit which lies within said chamber having a multiplicity of inwardly disposed" perforations, said substance-pushing means comprising a brushing element mounted within said chamber for sweeping movement across said sheet.

8. An apparatus forapplyinga line-ar'design to a work surface, comprising a pattern sheet pro= vided with perforations defining said design, a reciprocable element supporting said pattern sheet and adapted upon reciprocation to bring said sheet'and said work surface into and out'of contact, means for pushing a' marking substancethrough; said perforations tandwarriedbm said'zre ciproca'ble ele'menty. andmeans: carried said reciprocable element for? causing" said substancepushing. means -to function only when said sheet is :in-contact withsaid'work surface.-

9': An apparatus: forrapplying. a' linear' design to I a workflsurface, comprising a pattern sheet provided with'perforations definingisaid design,v a reciprocable' element. supporting said patternsheet and adapteduponreciprocation to bring" said sheet and-said work surfaceinto and' out of contact; means: for pushin'gia -marking substance. through said perforations and carried by said reciprocable element, said means comprising a' J brushing element mounted for swee'ping movement across said sheet, and means carried by said recipro'cable element for moving" said: brushing element only when-said sheetis in contact" with" said Work surface.

10. A'n apparatus as' set forth in claime, said last-named means comprising a motor in driving association with. said' brushing element, an ele'c'-' tric oircuitfor said motor, and-means -for clos ing-isaid circuit only'wh'en said sheet comes-into contact with said work'surface.

l1. An apparatusfor applying a' li'near designto a wo'rk surface, comprising a pattern sheet provided with perforations defining said design,- a' reciproca'ble element supporting said" pattern sheet and adapted upon reciprocation to bring said sheet and said work-surface into and 'o'utof contact, means for applying a charge ofmarkingsubstance to said sheet, means for pushing said substanc'e through said perforations carried by said-'reciproca'ble' element; and control elementscarried by said reciprocable element and controlling the operation of said substance-applying means and said substance-pushing means for causing said substance-applying means and said substance pushing means-to function in sequential order.

12. An apparatus for applying a linear-design to a work surface, comprising a' supportingframe', a pattern sheet mounted on said frame and pro vided with perforations defining said designypositioning means supporting said frame'for bringing said sheet and said worksurface into and out of contact, a conduit for'applyi'ng a charge of marking substance into said frame'and onto said sheet,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of reoord in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 257,423 Williamson May 2, 1882 1,179,106 Iwajiro 1 -1 Apr. 11, 1916 1,552,788 Whittaker Sept. 8, 1925 1,828,771 Flockhort Oct. 27, 1931' 1,894,530 Bernardo Jan. 7, 1933 2,071,024 Engert' -Feb. 23, 1937' 

